And when Simon saw that the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! (Acts 8:18-20)
Simon believed, but it wasn't enough. He was amazed by the power and glory of God, but his heart remained hard and unrepentant; therefore, he saw the Holy Spirit as a commodity to be bought and sold. This entrepreneurial spirit is entrenched in the church to this very day, and much that masquerades as ministry is the peddling of the Gospel derived from the same counterfeit spirit. It is so much easier to preach power than repentance, because many men want the power of God, but few want to die to themselves and pick up their cross. You see, men must not just believe in God, but repent and be converted – that is true belief.
We suppose we are saved because we made a confession of faith and prayed the "sinner's prayer." Then we got baptized in water and joined a Bible-believing church. We may have also stopped doing certain things, stopped going certain places, or stopped keeping company with certain folks. Yet, all of these things can be done by someone who simply made an emotional or mental "decision" for Christ (as sincere as they might be) but was never truly saved. That is because salvation is a sovereign work of the Lord, and nothing we do can bring about the new birth found in Jesus alone — He did it all! Eternal life is a most precious gift of God, and the only true measure of salvation is the indwelling Holy Spirit, given to each of us who truly receives life from God.
Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. (Romans 8:9)
May the Lord Himself sanctify you wholly, may your endurance and your good works prove that you really are God's child, and may there be no doubt that you are truly saved by grace and through faith. Amen.
Let's Pray - Father, may I not fall short of repentance. Forgive me for coming to You on any other basis than the shed Blood of Jesus Christ. Thank You and Amen.
AMEN and Thank you Jesus Christ. Today rarely do you hear people use the term "BORN AGAIN". I have pondered it a lot because there is a change that takes place as one is led and guided by the Holy Spirit; and that process is generally not one that is well accepted. Holding on to the old man/woman that I once was and I have found in my case there were times when I didn't want to left go of those grave clothes that I was yet bound in. (wearing"). Today, most church folk do not even know that they are the church and we all gather to fellowship as a corporate local body. But I am moving forward because of studying and learning via the WORD/bible. I've stayed humble enough to be taught and respectfully learn from other vessels HE has placed to help me along my journey to know the truth. God is good....tenderly merciful that way.
ReplyDeleteAmen! So glad to of received the Spirit of God from true relationship. My hallelujah belongs to Jesus!!
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